WA Forced Adoption Survivors Welcome New Birth Certificate Law, But Criticise Government Secrecy

Survivors of forced adoption in Western Australia have welcomed a new law allowing for integrated birth certificates, but have criticised the government's 'secrecy' over key reforms.

For decades, thousands of mothers in Western Australia had their babies removed from them due to the perceived 'shame' of becoming pregnant outside wedlock. The babies were given false birth certificates and denied their true identities, with some not finding out the truth until later in life.

A group of mothers whose children were removed from them, as well as people who were adopted out as babies, has been meeting behind closed doors to advise the government on how to apply the recommendations made from a 2023 inquiry. The 10 'lived experience' members of this group have had to sign confidentiality agreements, pledging not to share anything discussed at the meetings.